Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostSal Vitale digs out his driveway from the more than 17 inches of snow that fell in the area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPenny Buttry digs a path from her house towards her driveway through the more than 17 inches of snow that fell in the area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostJP "Chev" Chevalier, Director of Marketing for Eldora, helps direct traffic waiting in line to have the chance to go to ski at Eldora Ski Area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. Because so many people turned out to ski at the area and there isn't enough parking space, officials were forced to limit the amount of people heading up to the ski area. People were allowed in only when skiers left the area. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostKaeley Moffatt out for a long walk with her Siberian Husky Anya all the way across the open fields at the Apex field house Thursday morning, Jan. 5, 2017 in Arvada. "You have to get a dog like her out in this weather," she said.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostArvada fire fighter Jeff Jugert in front of the truck 6 fire house in Arvada Jan. 5, 2017.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostKevin Loudon digs his car out from more than 17 inches of snow that fell in the area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostMaintenance supervisor of the Maple Leaf apartments Donavon Edwards is out early clearing a path through the snow piles Thursday morning, Jan. 5, 2017 in Arvada.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostAndy Jones digs his car out of his driveway where more than 17 inches of snow that fell in the area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Ken Lyons, The Denver PostPedestrians make their way along a cold and icy 16th Street in downtown Denver Thursday morning.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBoulder County Deputy Jim O'Brien directs traffic waiting in line to have the chance to go to ski at Eldora Ski Area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. Because so many people turned out to ski at the area and there isn't enough parking space, officials were forced to limit the amount of people heading up to the ski area. People were allowed in only when skiers left the area. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostA man rides his bike in downtown Denver, Jan. 5, 2017. Cold temperatures and snow have moved into the Denver area.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPassersby, in Denver, stop to help push a car out in downtown Denver, January 05, 2017. Cold temperatures and snow have moved into the Denver area.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMichael Bruce, covered in ice and snow from digging, heads towards his home after helping a friend dig his car out from more than 17 inches of snow that fell in the area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA man walks his dog in the freshly fallen snow on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. More than 17 inches fell in the area over night. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBrent Tregaskis, General Manager for Eldora Ski Area, helps direct traffic waiting in line to have the chance to go to ski at Eldora Ski Area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. Because so many people turned out to ski at the area and there isn't enough parking space, officials were forced to limit the amount of people heading up to the ski area. People were allowed in only when skiers left the area. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostKevin Loudon plays with his dog Buddha while he digs his car out from more than 17 inches of snow that fell in the area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostJosh Caldwell cross country skis at Sloans Lake in Denver, January 05, 2017. Cold temperatures and snow have moved into the Denver area.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPedestrians make their way across Baseline Road as a winter storm descends on the Denver metro area on Jan. 4, 2017 in Boulder.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeople walk down the 16th Street Mall, enveloped by steam, on Jan. 4, 2017, in Denver. Cold temperatures and snow have moved into the Denver area.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostZoey Wolfmule, 18, walks to her bus at the 36th and Sheridan bus station on Jan. 4, 2017, Westminster.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostCesar Mendez prepares to plow in the snow at the Flatiron Crossing Mall on Jan. 4, 2017, in Broomfield.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostA pine cone is nestled away from the ice and snow in The Field open space on Jan. 4, 2017, in Broomfield.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeople enjoy a snowy hike at Chautauqua Park in Boulder in the snow on Jan. 4, 2017. Cold temperatures and snow have moved into the Denver metro area.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeople walk down the 16th Street Mall, enveloped by steam, on Jan. 4, 2017, in Denver. Cold temperatures and snow have moved into the Denver area.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostA bus rider fights cold and snow on the way to the bus at the 36th and Sheridan station on Jan. 4, 2017, in Westminster.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostTraffic slows on U.S. 36 at the 36th and Sheridan station during a snowstorm on Jan. 4, 2017, in Westminster.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostMyra Davis walks bundled up from the cold and snow on her way to her bus at the 36th and Sheridan station on Jan. 4, 2017, in Westminster.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA winter storm hits the Denver metro area, making for difficult driving conditions along westbound U.S. 36 on Jan. 4, 2017 near Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA winter storm hits the Denver metro area, making for difficult driving conditions along westbound U.S. 36 on Jan. 4, 2017 near Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMichael Bruce heads towards his home after helping a friend dig his car out from more than 17 inches of snow that fell in the area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Sal Vitale digs out his driveway from the more than 17 inches of snow that fell in the area on January 5, 2017 in Nederland, Colorado. This is the first big storm of the new year bringing with it feet of snow in the mountains and much needed moisture.
ExpandBy Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, Joe Amon | The Denver Post and RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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A slow-moving storm , with more than a foot possible in the foothills, the National Weather Service in Boulder says.
































